Whitehouse’s State 7-on-7 Run Ends in Division I Round of 16

COLLEGE STATION — The Whitehouse Wildcats are looking for increased offensive productivity in the fall, and judging by their performance this weekend, it could be on the way.

Whitehouse, after rolling through pool play at the state 7-on-7 tournament, advanced to the Round of 16 with a win Saturday morning in the Division I championship bracket at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.

The Wildcats took out Abilene Cooper, 26-13, to begin the day before being eliminated by Fort Bend Bush, 39-33.

During its 3-0 performance in pool play Friday, Whitehouse knocked off defending state 7-on-7 champ The Woodlands.

“I feel like we all competed well, we made a good run,” said Whitehouse senior quarterback Jake Clemons. “I’m sad that it’s over, but I feel like we should be proud of ourselves.”

Clemons, who split time at quarterback last season, is expected to be the full-time starter this year.

As a junior, he passed for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns with only two interceptions in eight games. Whitehouse finished 2016 at 6-5 overall, reaching the 5A Division II bi-district round of the playoffs.

Clemons’ extra reps as the team’s quarterback during 7-on-7 could go a long way in helping Whitehouse turn around an offense that averaged just 24 points and less than 325 yards per game a season ago.

“I’ve been getting the timing down with all the receivers,” he said. “We have a good rhythm with each other, and I think we’ve all come together as a pretty good offense.”

Time ran out on Whitehouse in its loss to Fort Bend on Saturday.

Bush scored with about a minute remaining, and after a penalty on Whitehouse during the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, time expired just before the Wildcats’ offense tried a 45-yard Hail Mary to the end zone.

Whitehouse junior receiver Cameron Cantrell caught three touchdowns in the loss, while Javier Neal and Seth Dolan were on the receiving end of the other two.

In the opener on Saturday, Whitehouse’s defense came away with five interceptions of Abilene Cooper.

Whitehouse sophomore Jermone Bowser had two picks, while Neal, Nick Baker, and Kyevon Rider also came down with INT’s.

“Our defense was so good; they got us a lot of stops,” Clemons said. “There were some games where it was hard for us to score, and our defense really came through.”